Reetapa Biswas

Bio: Reetapa Biswas is an academic researcher from University of Calcutta. The author has contributed to research in topics: Citrullus. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 3 citations.

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic effects of Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) Seed Kernels on Male Albino Rats

Abstract: The current investigation was planned to assess the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficiency of watermelon seeds on male albino rats. Eight male albino rats weighing between 105-150g were randomly selected for the present experiment and were placed into two equal groups (n=4) designated as control and treated group. The control group received normal stock diet (20% protein, 5 % fat, 60 % carbohydrate). The treated group received a modified diet (90g Stock diet excluding groundnut oil + 9g watermelon seed kernel + 1g sugar). Percentages of protein, fat and carbohydrate in the modified diet were kept same as that of the stock diet. All animals were given water ad libitum. Rats were weighed at weekly intervals. After 28 days rats were anesthetized using chloroform anesthesia and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and serum was obtained for evaluation of some biochemical parameters. Result showed that serum glucose, triglyceride (TG) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) of the treated group were decreased significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively) compared to that of the control group. Liver glycogen, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and AI (Atherogenic Index) were decreased (non-significant) whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased (non-significant) in the treated group. Current Research in nutrition and Food Science Journal Website:www.foodandnutritionjournal.org ISSN: 2347-467X, Vol. 5, No. (3) 2017, Pg. 368-373 ContACt Reetapa Biswas biswasreetapa@gmail.com Department of Home Science, Food and Nutrition Division, University

An update on functional, nutraceutical and industrial applications of watermelon by-products: A comprehensive review

Abstract: Background Agro-waste is of rising concern since they present social, economic and environmental challenges. Conversion of food waste is receiving an increasing attention towards the fact that these materials represent possible utilization sources for conversion into useful products and increasing the demand for natural bioactive compounds. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is consumed all over the world that contains a large number of seeds and rind, which is discarded and used as animal feed. These by-products contain phytochemical compounds with great nutritional and functional potential. Scope and approach This review article describes the scientific studies from the last five years regarding the nutritional and bioactive compounds present in the watermelon rind (WMR) and watermelon seeds (WMSs). This review also focused on their nutraceutical worth fully justified by the presence of functional active compounds, as well as their potential industrial application for future research concerning novel or functional, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical product development. Key findings and conclusion: WMR is a rich source of fatty acids, minerals, and phenolic compounds and dietary fibers. It also contains soluble carbohydrates (45–65%), carotenoids, alkaloids, saponin, and phytates. WMSs are an excellent source of protein (15–50%) such as albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin. WMSs are also a good source of vitamin B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B6 B12), polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential and non-essential amino acids as well as phenolic compounds. Moreover. Watermelon by-products also present therapeutic properties including anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antitumor, hypocholesterolemic, hepato-, nephron- and neuro-protective effects and antibacterial properties fully evidenced from recently published literature. Therefore, the use of these byproducts to design and develop innovative functional food products with added value is important for sustainability across the food chain. Nevertheless, further research is needed on the clinical studies of WMR and WMSs to fully support the development of functional food products, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

Valorization of watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus) byproducts: phytochemical and biofunctional properties with emphasis on recent trends and advances

Abstract: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) a fruit crop, is an herbaceous creeping plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical plant, mainly propagated by seeds and thrives best in warm areas. While the fruit pulp is consumed, seeds are often discarded. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at ?85 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value?added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio?economy perspective. Given the ever?increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio?refinery approach, that is, zero waste concepts is therefore most important. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts, more specifically in watermelon seeds and their…

Processing Methods and Bio-applications in Functional Food Production

Abstract: Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Enviro Research Publishers This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ ), which permits unrestricted NonCommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.5.3.01 article History